SURFACE J385

REV.
MAR95
VEHICLE
400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096-0001
RECOMMENDED Issued 1976-05
PRACTICE Revised 1995-03

Superseding J385 APR86

Submitted for recognition as an American National Standard

MOTOR VEHICLE SEAT BELT ANCHORAGES—PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

Foreword—This Document has not changed other than to put it into the new SAE Technical Standards Board
Format.

1. Scope—This SAE Recommended Practice specifies performance requirements for the strength of seat belt
anchorages attached to vehicle structure or to the seat assemblies as installed in the motor vehicle. (This
document supersedes the Performance Requirements Section of SAE J787b.) Design recommendations and
test procedures are specified in SAE J383 and SAE J384, respectively.

2. References

2.1 Applicable Publications—The following publications form a part of the specification to the extent specified
herein. Unless otherwise indicated the lastest revision of SAE publications shall apply.

2.1.1 SAE PUBLICATIONS—Available from SAE, 400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096-0001.

SAE J383—Motor Vehicle Seat Belt Anchorages—Design Recommendations

SAE J384—Motor Vehicle Seat Belt Anchorages—Test Procedure
SAE J879—Motor Vehicle Seating Systems

3. Definitions

3.1 Anchorage—The final point of attachment for transferring seat belt assembly loads to the vehicle structure or
seat structure.

3.2 D-Ring, or Turning Loop—A load bearing device through which the seat belt webbing passes and changes
direction. It is typically located in the shoulder portion of the belt system, but may be applicable wherever the
webbing changes direction.

3.3 Adjustable D-Ring, Adjustable Turning Loop, or Adjustable Upper Anchorage—A D-Ring which can be
positioned by the occupant for optimal fit of the belt to improve comfort.

SAE Technical Standards Board Rules provide that: “This report is published by SAE to advance the state of technical and engineering sciences. The use of this report is entirely
voluntary, and its applicability and suitability for any particular use, including any patent infringement arising therefrom, is the sole responsibility of the user.”

SAE reviews each technical report at least every five years at which time it may be reaffirmed, revised, or cancelled. SAE invites your written comments and suggestions.

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Copyright 1995 Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc.
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 SAE J385 Revised MAR95

3.4 Attachment Hardware—All load-bearing hardware designed for securing the webbing portion of a seat belt
assembly to a motor vehicle structure or intermediate structural component including but not limited to
retractors, end fittings, bolts, studs, nuts or other attachment means, but not including those components
permanently fixed to the vehicle.

NOTE—If the seat belt is attached to a seat, the seat is not attachment hardware.

3.5 Seat Belt Assembly—Any strap, webbing, or similar device designed to secure a person in a motor vehicle
with the intention of minimizing the risk of bodily harm in a collision (other than a system designed solely to
accommodate children), including all buckles, adjusting mechanisms, fasteners, and related hardware.

3.6 Type 1 Seat Belt Assembly—A seat belt assembly that provides pelvic restraint.

3.7 Type 2 Seat Belt Assembly—A seat belt assembly that provides pelvic and upper torso restraint.

3.8 Type 2A Seat Belt Assembly—A seat belt assembly consisting of either a separate upper torso restraint
intended for use only with a Type 1 seat belt assembly or knee bolster or an upper torso restraint which may be
connected to a Type 1 seat belt assembly for use as a Type 2 seat belt assembly.

3.9 Type 4 Seat Belt Assembly—An automatic seat belt system.

4. General

4.1 Simultaneous Testing—All anchorages in a seat row shall be tested simultaneously, however, anchorages
shall be tested separately for each seat row. A force shall be applied for each designated seating position for
which the individual seat (front, rear, etc.) is designed, using the original equipment seat belt assemblies or
equivalent force application means and attachment hardware. The test shall be conducted in accordance with
SAE J384. All anchorages or attachment points for each seating position shall be tested simultaneously, but
may be tested separately from those for other seating positions, provided that an analysis determines that they
are structurally independent from those other anchorages.

4.2 Anchorages for Seat Belt Assemblies Attached to the Seat Structure—The seat assembly, seat adjusters,
and attachments which are part of the occupant restraint systems when tested in accordance with SAE J384,
must simultaneously sustain the seat inertia force of SAE J879.

4.3 Common Seat Belt Anchorages for Forward and Rearward Facing Seats—Common anchorages for
forward and rearward facing seating positions need not be tested simultaneously.

4.4 Adjustable Anchorages—Adjustable anchorages shall meet the requirements of 5.1 in any position to which
they can be adjusted.

5. Test Requirements

5.1 Strength

5.1.1 ANCHORAGES FOR A TYPE 1 SEAT BELT (OR THE PELVIC PORTION OF A TYPE 4 SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY)—When
tested in accordance with Section 4, the force applied to the pelvic body block(s) shall be 22.2 kN (5000 lbf)
applied in as short a time as possible and held for a duration of at least 0.2 s.

5.1.2 ANCHORAGES FOR A TYPE 2 SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY (OR A COMBINATION TYPE 1 AND 2A SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY, OR
THE PELVIC AND UPPER TORSO PORTIONS OF A TYPE 4 SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY)—When tested in accordance
with Section 4, the force applied to the pelvic and upper torso body blocks shall be 13.3 kN (3000 lbf) each,
applied in as short a time as possible and held for a duration of at least 0.2 s.

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 SAE J385 Revised MAR95

5.2 Deformation

5.2.1 ANCHORAGES MOUNTED TO BODY STRUCTURE—Permanent deformation of any anchorage or the surrounding
area shall not constitute failure provided that the forces specified in 5.1 are sustained, and there is not
complete separation of the anchorage from the structure.

5.2.2 ANCHORAGES ATTACHED TO SEAT FRAMES—Permanent deformation of any anchorage or the surrounding
area including the seat structure shall not constitute failure provided that the forces specified in 5.1 are
sustained, and there is not complete separation of the anchorage from the seat structure. There must be no
failure or release of the seat adjuster mechanism or other locking device. The seat adjuster or locking device
need not be operable after application of the test forces.

6. Notes

6.1 Marginal Indicia—The change bar (l) located in the left margin is for the convenience of the user in locating
areas where technical revisions have been made to the previous issue of the report. An (R) symbol to the left
of the document title indicates a complete revision of the report.

PREPARED BY THE SAE RESTRAINTS SYSTEMS STANDARDS COMMITTEE

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 SAE J385 Revised MAR95

Rationale—Not applicable.

Relationship of SAE Standard to ISO Standard—Not applicable.

Application—This SAE Recommended Practice specifies performance requirements for the strength of seat
belt anchorages attached to vehicle structure or to the seat assemblies as installed in the motor vehicle.
(This document supersedes the Performance Requirements Section of SAE J787b.) Design
recommendations and test procedures are specified in SAE J383 and SAE J384, respectively.

Reference Section

SAE J383—Motor Vehicle Seat Belt Anchorages—Design Recommendations

SAE J384—Motor Vehicle Seat Belt Anchorages—Test Procedure

SAE J879—Motor Vehicle Seating Systems

Developed by the SAE Restraints Systems Standards Committee